The effect of maternal obesity on the success of labor induction with a cervical ripening double-balloon catheter and on pain perception during catheter insertion

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of maternal body mass index (BMI) on the success of labor induction with a cervical ripening double-balloon catheter and maternal pain perception during the catheter insertion process. Methods: This observational study included 103 women with singleton pregnancies, who underwent labor induction with a double-balloon catheter at ≥39 weeks of gestation for obstetric indications. The study population was divided into two groups according to the BMI (group 1 <30 kg/m2 and group 2 ≥30 kg/m2). The two groups were compared in terms of their clinical characteristics, labor outcomes, cesarean delivery rate, delivery rate within 24 hours of insertion, and maternal pain perception during catheter insertion. Results: The two BMI groups showed no significant differences in the cesarean delivery rate (31.5% vs. 42.9%), the delivery rate within 24 hours of labor induction (85.2% vs. 81.6%), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score (4.8±2.9 vs. 4.6±2.5) (p>0.05). The cesarean delivery rate was 19.6% in multiparous women and 57.4% in nulliparous women (p<0.001). The median Bishop scores upon admission and at the time of balloon expulsion were higher in women who delivered vaginally than in those who underwent cesarean sections [4 (1-5) vs. 2 (1-5) and 7 (4-11) vs. 6 (2-8), respectively, p<0.001]. The VAS scores recorded during double-balloon catheter insertion (4.8±2.9 vs. 4.6±2, p=0.772) were also similar in both groups. Conclusion: Maternal BMI did not affect the success of labor induction with a cervical ripening double-balloon catheter. Parity and Bishop scores were the factors influencing labor induction success.